Board game with gyroscopic top timer

ABSTRACT

A board game, a method for timing or determining the length of time for a player or a team&#39;s turn, and a timing device for timing the length of time for a player or team&#39;s turn are all disclosed. The disclosed board game has an Egyptian mummy theme and includes a board that can be folded in the shape of a pyramid. Players move around the board, collect tokens and try to avoid being landed upon or landing upon a mummy token, which also moves around the board during the course of the game. Tokens are moved according to a paired or rolled dice. The dice are rolled repeatedly during a player&#39;s turn and the length of time for a player&#39;s turn is determined by a timing device which includes a top element housed within a cubical shell. A rip cord is used to spin the top within the shell and the shell is placed on a base and allowed to spin on one of its corners as the top spins inside the shell. The turn is over when the top and shell loses their speed causing the shell to fall on one of its outer flat faces. The timing device disclosed herein makes for a very fast paced and exciting board game.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A new board game is shown and described. Further, the disclosed boardgame also includes a unique timing element for determining the length oftime a player has to carry out his/her turn. The timing element includesa gyroscopic or top device enclosed within a cubical shell. A rip cordis used to spin the top within the cubical shell and the shell, whenplaced on one of its corners that supports the central axis of the top,also spins and the duration of the player's turn extends from the timeat which the player places the cubical shell on its corner, with the topspinning inside, until the time the cubical shell stops spinning as aresult of the top slowing down or ceasing spinning inside the shell asthe shell falls on one of its six sides.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Board games are well known in the art. One type of board game is a“start to finish” or a “race-type” board game where the board is printedwith at least one primary pathway extending from a start to a finish.Players are typically assigned a single token and move around thepathway with the length of each advance be determined by the roll of oneor more die, a spinner element or the drawing of one or more cards.These games rely upon an inherent excitement found in racing from astart to a finish. Often, the typical start to finish or race-type boardgames include detours or side pathways. Often the decision to take aside passageway or side pathway adds certain decision makingrequirements to the game instead of players simply rolling the dice orspinning the wheel.

One variation of the start to finish or race-type game are the gameswhich involve multiple laps around an endless pathway with the winnerbeing the player who has accumulated the most money, points, tokens orthe like. These games are better suited for older children as youngerchildren and toddlers often do not understand or appreciate games whereplayers must accumulate money or points or which involve decision makingskills during the play of the game.

One advantage to the simple start to finish or race-type games is thatthe pace of play tends to proceed at a relatively rapid pace. Eachplayer simply rolls the dice or spins the wheel and moves his or hertoken the appropriate number of steps before another player takes aturn. The only exception to this general rule may be those situationswhere a player rolls a “double” or a spinner, wheel or card indicatesthat a player is entitled to one or more additional turns.

One disadvantage with board games with side pathways, detours andadditional decision making requirements is that the pace of play may berather slow. Players are forced to strategize and therefore think andthe time in which one player has to complete his or her turn may beundefined or limitless. While one player is taking his or her turn, theother players may become bored or distracted. One solution to thisproblem is the use of a timer. While timers with spring-loaded timingelements or hour glasses have been used, these types of devices are alsorelatively boring and do not necessarily add any excitement to the game.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved timing element for a boardgame that adds an element of excitement to the game.

Further, it would also be beneficial if new board games were designedwith timing elements or timing devices that, in addition to providing anelement of excitement to the game, also performs a function in additionto determining the length of a player or a team's turn. In other words,it would be desirable to have a board game with a timing element or atiming device that actually affects the outcome of a player's turn andtherefore the game in addition to defining the length of time a playeror a team has to complete a turn.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In satisfaction of the aforenoted needs, an improved board game isdisclosed which comprises a board with a plurality of indicia printedthereon. In addition to other things, the indicia may define one or morepathways to be followed during the course of a game. The board game alsoincludes a timing device that defines an amount of time for a singleturn. The timing device comprises a cubical shell, a top and a rip cord.The shell comprises two bearings disposed in diagonally opposite cornersinside the shell. The bearings support opposite ends of an axial shaftof the top. The shell also comprises two openings for passing the ripcord through the shell. The top comprises the aforementioned shaft whichextends through a wheel and a gear. The rip cord comprises a set oflinear teeth along the cord and the rip cord passes through the openingsof the shell with the teeth of the rip cord being enmeshed with the gearof the top. To start the timing device, the player inserts the rip cordthrough the openings of the shell with the teeth enmeshed with the gearat the top. When fully inserted, the player then pulls the rip cordswiftly through the cubical shell thereby causing the top to spin aboutits axis as defined by the shaft of the top. As the top is spinning andbeing supported by the bearings, the player places the shell on one ofits corners that houses a bearing and the spinning top causes the shellto spin on said corner for an amount of time that can be used todetermine the length of time for the player or team's turn.

In an embodiment, indicia are printed on each of the six outer faces ofthe cubical shell. Therefore, when the top begins to slow down and thecubical shell eventually stops spinning and eventually lands on one ofits faces with an opposite face being directed upwardly, the indicia onthe upwardly directed face can be used to affect the outcome of theplayer or team's turn, such as the award of bonus points, the impositionof a penalty, the return of the player's token to a start point, etc.

In an embodiment, the board game also includes a base that rests on topof the board. The base includes an upper surface having a recess foraccommodating a corner of the shell so that the shell can spin on top ofthe base and be confined to the recess while the shell is spinning. In afurther refinement, the recess is circular. In yet another furtherrefinement, the base has a truncated pyramidal shape.

In a related refinement, the board comprises a square center or basesection with four outer edges hingedly connected to triangular panelsthat enable the board to be folded into a hollow pyramid that houses theother parts of the game.

In a refinement, the rip cord includes a handle.

In yet another refinement, the board game comprises a plurality oftokens, at least one die, and the indicia printed on the board define atleast one pathway. To start a turn, the player pulls the rip cordthrough the shell thereby causing the top to spin. The player thenplaces the shell on one of its corners which houses one of the bearingsthereby allowing the shell to spin on said corner as discussed above.This event denotes the start of a player's turn and thereafter theplayer rolls the die or dice and moves his/her token repeatedly untilthe shell stops spinning and rests on one of its six faces with anopposite face directed upward. In a further refinement, indicia printedon the upwardly directed face alters the outcome of the player's turn.

In another refinement, the shell also houses a plate secured within theshell. The plate comprises an aperture through which the shaft and gearof the top extend. The plate is connected to a bracket through which therip cord slides. The bracket has a shaped cross-sectional profile thatmatches a cross-sectional profile of the rip cord. The-bracket ispositioned within the shell so that insertion of the rip cord throughthe openings of the shell results in the rip cord extending through thebracket and with the teeth of the rip cord enmeshing with the gear ofthe top. In short, the shape of the openings of the shell and thecross-sectional profile of the bracket along with the cross-sectionalprofile of the rip cord are all matched so that the rip cord and beinserted only one way which results in the teeth of the rip cord beingenmeshed with the gear of the top. In a refinement, the plate isfastened to an interior of the shell. In a further refinement, thebracket is integrally connected to the plate.

In yet another refinement, the shaft of the top also passes through andis connected to a hub. The hub is connected to the wheel by a pluralityof spokes.

In an embodiment, an improved timing device is disclosed for use onboard games and other games of chance that includes the cubical shell,top and rip cord as described above.

In another embodiment, a method for determining the time of a player'sterm during play of the game is disclosed. The method comprisesproviding a timing device as described above, inserting the rip cordthrough the openings of the shell and enmeshing the teeth of the ripcord with the gear of the top, pulling the rip cord back through theshell at a rate sufficient to cause the top to spin within the shell,placing the shell on one of its corners that houses one of its bearingswhile the top is spinning thereby causing the shell to spin on itscorner and designating the start of the turn, declaring an end to theturn when the shell stops spinning and falls to a resting position onone of its six outer faces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed board game, timing device and method for determining thetime of a player's turn during play of a board game are described moreor less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a board game for use in playing a disclosedboard game;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the various parts or tokens used to playthe disclosed board game including treasure tokens, timing device (aka“timing cube”), dice, rip cord, base for supporting the spinning timingcube, player tokens, mummy token (aka “mummy pawn”) and treasure bagcards (aka “explorer pawns”) for collecting treasure tokens;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the board game illustrating its pyramidshape when in a folded and stored configuration;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a disclosed timing device including acubical shell, top, rip cord and combination plate/bracket;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base and timing element used duringthe play of the disclosed board game and with applications to otherboard games; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the spinning of the cubicalshell (with spinning top inside) on top of the truncated pyramidal baseas disclosed herein.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scaleand that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols,phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and partial or fragmentaryviews. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for anunderstanding of the disclosed board game, timing device or method fortiming a player or team's turn may have been omitted. It should beunderstood, of course, that this disclosure is not necessarily limitedto the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate generally a disclosed board game tentativelyentitled “Escape the Mad Mummy,” a disclosed timing device for use inthe disclosed board game and other board games for defining the lengthof time for a player or a team's turn, and a disclosed method fordefining the length of time for a player's turn or a team's turn duringplay of a board game, such as the disclosed board game or other boardgames.

Turning to FIG. 1, a board 10 is disclosed that includes a rectangularor generally square base panel 11 hingedly connected to four triangularpanels 12 a-12 c. The shape of the board 10 helps to impart the Egyptianor mummy theme of the disclosed board game as the board 10, as shown inFIG. 3 can be folded into a hollow pyramid as the triangular panels 12a-12 d can be folded upward towards each other to form a pyramid shell,which can be used to store all the elements and parts shown in FIG. 2when the game is not in use. As shown in FIG. 3, each panel 12 a-12 dmay include interlocking elements such as a tab 13 and a slot 14 forsecuring one panel 12 such as 12 a into position with respect itsadjacent panels 12 b, 12 d as shown in FIG. 3.

Returning to FIG. 1, each panel 12 a-12 d may be connected to the basepanel 11 by a living hinge that may be created by paper laminate layersthat cover the upper and lower sides of the board and contain theprinted indicia shown in FIG. 1. The indicia shown in FIG. 1 includes,but is not limited to the following elements. A starting place is shownat 15 which leaves the players along a pathway shown generally at 16.The direction of play is indicated by one or more arrows 17. Certainpoints of interest include the mummy's tomb 18, secret passageways 19 a,19 b, the trap doors 21 a, 21 b, the hidden chambers 22 a, 22 b, theescape route 23 from the tomb and the treasure chambers 24 a, 24 b.Further, numerous steps along the pathway 16 are designated as “take atreasure” steps shown generally at 25.

Turning to FIG. 2, various other elements used to play the “Escape theMad Mummy” game are illustrated. First, a plurality of treasure tokensor “treasure pawns” are shown generally at 26. While ten different typesof treasure tokens 26 are shown and described, as noted below, the goalof the game is to collect five tokens 26 in total and the type orparticular tokens 26 collected is unimportant. The tokens 26 aredesigned to be consistent with the Egyptian or mummy theme of the game.The game is intended for four players or four teams. Each player or teamalso selects a player token or “explorer pawn,” four of which are shownat 27. The player tokens 27 are each of a different color and eachplayer or team also selects an appropriately colored treasure bag or“explorer pack,” four of which are shown at 28. During play of the game,each player or team places its collected treasures or treasure tokens 26on top of their respective treasure bag 28. Dice for advancing theplayer tokens 27 along the path 16 are shown at 29 and the mummy pawn isshown at 30.

As described below, the duration of the turn or each player or team isdetermined by a timing device which includes the cubical shell shown at31 and the rip cord 32. The operation and use of these devices will bedescribed below with respect to FIGS. 4-6. In addition, a truncatedpyramidal base 33 may be placed in the centralized area shown at 34 ofthe board 10 (see FIG. 1). The centralized area 34 may also includecorner recesses shown at 35 which can be used to support short legsdisposed on the underside of the base 33 (not shown) to ensure a stablefooting for the base 33.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate in greater detail the design and operation of thetiming device shown generally at 40. The device 40 includes the cubicalshell 31 that may comprise two parts or shell halves 31 a and 31 b asshown in FIG. 4. The shell halves 31 a, 31 b may be secured togetherwith screws or other similar fasteners or they may be connected togetherin some sort of snap-fit configuration. In the embodiment shown in FIG.4, the shell half 31 a includes three threaded bores shown at 41 whilethe shell half 31 b includes complimentary washer elements 42 as shownin FIG. 4. Threaded fasteners are extended through the washer elements42 of the shell half 31 b and to the threaded bores 41 of the shelf half31 a by way of three openings in the shell half 31 b, one of which isshown at 43 in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Each shell half 31 a, 31 b also preferably includes a bearing 44 forsupporting the top or gyroscopic element 45. The top 45 includes a shaft46 that passes coaxially through a wheel 47 and a gear 48. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the wheel 47 is connected to a hub 51 whichis also coaxial with the shaft 46 and the hub 51 is connected to thewheel 47 by one or more spokes shown at 52. The shaft 46 includesopposing ends shown at 53 which are received in the bearings 44 of theshell halves 31 a, 31 b. Thus, the top 45 is rotatably supported withinthe shell 31 by the bearings 44.

The rip cord 32 is used to impart rotation to the top 45. Specifically,the rip cord 32 includes a handle 55 which is connected to a cordelement 56 which, in turn, carries a linear set of teeth 57. The ripcord 32 is inserted through the shell 31 so that the teeth 57 engage andare enmeshed with the gear 48 of the top 45. After filly inserting therip cord 32 through shell 31, the rip cord 32 may then be pulled rapidlyback through the shell 31 and the teeth 57 impart a spinning rotation tothe gear 48 and the top 45.

To ensure that the teeth 57 of the rip cord 32 are enmeshed with thegear 48 of the top 45 during each use, a bracket 61 is provided that isconnected to a plate 62 which, in turn, is securely fastened to one ofthe shell halves 31 a, 31 b, and in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.4, the plate 62 is secured to the shell half 31 b by way of thefasteners shown at 63 and threaded bores shown at 64 provided in theshell half 31 b.

The bracket 61, in combination with specially shaped apertures in theshell 31, one of which is shown at 65 in FIGS. 2 and 5-6 ensure that therip cord 32 can only be inserted through the shell 31 in one way,specifically so that the teeth 57 engage and become enmeshed with thegear 48. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the aperture or opening 65 inthe shell 31 is formed by two shaped slots 65 a, 65 b formed alongmating edges of the shell halves 31 a, 31 b as shown in FIG. 4.Similarly, and opposite opening 66 in the shell 31 is formed by theslots 66 a, 66 b also formed in mating side edges of the shell halves 31a, 31 b as shown in FIG. 4. When mated together, the shell halves 31 a,31 b form two shaped openings 65 and 66 which have a shape that matchesthe cross-sectional profile of the cord 56 and teeth 57 of the rip cord32. Thus, the rip cord 32 may only be inserted through the shell 31 in amanner so that the teeth 57 are directed toward and engaged the gear 48of the top 45. The opening 65, 66 through the shell 31 are alsoappropriately placed so that the rip cord 32 passes tangentially againstthe gear 48. To also ensure a sufficient enmeshed relationship betweenthe teeth 57 and the gear 48, the bracket 61 is provided which alsosupports the rip cord 32 and prevents any unwanted bowing or bending ofthe rip cord 32 which could cause a loss of contact between the teeth 57and the gear 48. Thus, the rip cord 32 can only be inserted through theshell 31 with its teeth 57 facing and enmeshingly engaging the gear 48.After the rip cord 32 is pushed all the way through the shell 31 to theposition shown in FIG. 5, the cord 32 is then pulled rapidly in thedirection of the arrow 67 (FIG. 5) to impart a spinning rotation to thetop 45 within the shell 31.

Also, the shell 31 is designed so that when the rip cord 32 is insertedthrough the shell 31 to the position as shown in FIG. 5, the user mayeasily place the shell 31 on one of two corners shown at 71 whichcorresponds to the corners of the shell halves 31 a, 31 b that house andsupport the bearings 44. Thus, it is natural for the user to place theshell 31 on one of the corners 71 with one of the bearings 44 facingvertically upward thereby causing the top 45 to be in a verticallyupright position and in the orientation shown in FIG. 4. After the ripcord 32 is pulled rapidly in the direction shown at 67 in FIG. 5, thetop 45 spins about its axis as defined by the shaft 46, therebyimparting a spinning rotation to the shell 31 as shown in FIG. 6.

To keep the shell 31 from rotating all over the board 10, the base 33 isprovided or some other platform or holder for limiting the lateralmovement of the shell 31. An upper surface 72 of the base 33 includes arecess 73 for limiting the lateral movement of the spinning shell 31.When the shell 31 stops spinning or slows a sufficient amount caused bythe reduced rotational speed of the top 45, the shell 31 will falldownward off of the base 32 and land on one of its six outer faces 74.As discussed below, indicia may be printed on the faces 74 as shown inFIG. 2 which may affect the outcome of the player or team's turn.

Therefore, at the beginning of a turn, a player or a team member graspsthe cubical shell 31 and inserts the rip cord 32 through the shell 31 byinserting the cord portion 56 through the openings 65, 66 until the ripcord 32 is in the position shown in FIG. 5. Then, placing one of thecorners 71 of the shell 31 in the recess 73 of the base 33 as shown inFIG. 5, the player then pulls the handle 56 of the rip cord 32 backwardsor in the direction of the arrow 67.

Because the teeth 57 of the rip cord are enmeshed with the gear 48 ofthe top 45, the pulling action on the rip cord 32 imparts a spinningmotion to the top 45 within the shell 41. By balancing the shell 31 onone of its corners 71, the top 45 is placed in its upright position asshown in FIG. 4 and results in the top 45 imparting a rotationalmovement to the shell 31, or in the direction of the arrow 75 as shownin FIG. 6.

The length of duration for which the shell 31 spins on top of the base33 determines the length of time for the player's turn. When the top 45slows down, causing the rotational movement of the cubical shell 31 todecrease and eventually causing the shell 31 to fall down off of thebase 33 and onto one of its faces 74, the turn is over. As shown in FIG.2, the outer faces 74 of the shell 31 may be printed with indicia thatcan affect the outcome of the turn. Specifically referring to FIG. 2,the upper face 74 of the cube 31 when the turn is over may provideinstructions to “send mummy to tomb,” “collect a treasure,” or “mummyattacks.” The significance of these messages will be addressed below.

To play the game, the board 10 is placed on a flat surface with theflaps 12 a-12 d open. The base 33 is then placed in a central area 34 ofthe board 10 with its lower feet (not shown) securely accommodated inthe recesses 35. Each player or team chooses one of the explorer pawnsor player tokens 27 and a treasure bag or explore pack 28 with a colorthat matches the chosen pawn 27. Each explorer pawn 27 is then placed inthe start area 15 on the board with the explore pack 28 placed in frontof the player or team. Ten treasure tokens 26 are placed in each of thetreasure chambers 24 a, 24 b. The mummy pawn 30 is placed on the mummytomb space 18. The mummy's cube 31, die 29 and rip cord 32 are thenplaced within easy reach by all of the players.

To begin the game, each player or team rolls the dice 29. The playerteam with the highest roll starts the game. If there is a tie for thehighest roll, the tied players or teams re-roll until there is a highestroll. Returning to FIG. 2 and viewing in the dice shown at 29, thereader will note that each die includes one or more mummy symbols shownat 78. In a preferred embodiment of the disclosed game, one of the dieincludes a single mummy symbol 78 and the other die includes more thanone, such as two or three mummy symbols 78. When rolling the dice forthe highest roll, a mummy symbol 78 equals zero and does not add to thetotal number. When rolling the dice during the course of the game, amummy symbol 78 is an indication to move the mummy token 30 forward onesquare. If the dice 29 show two mummy symbols 78, the mummy token 30 ismoved forward two squares.

The object of the game is to be the first player or team (i.e.,explorer) to collect five treasures or treasure tokens 26 and to furtherescape from the pyramid or from the board 10. With the treasure tokens26 placed on the treasure chamber squares 24 a, 24 b and with the mummytoken 30 placed on the mummy's tomb 18 and with all player tokens orexplorer pawns 27 placed on the start square 15, the game is ready to beplayed.

The first player or team begins their turn by spinning the cube 31 asdescribed above and discussed in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6. Briefly,the rip cord 32 is drawn rapidly backward through the cube 31 and thecube 31 is allowed to spin on top of the base 33. While the cube isspinning, the player or team rolls the dice 29. In FIG. 2, the dice 29is shown with the number 3 facing upward along with a mummy symbol 78.For this roll, the player would move his or her explorer pawn threesquares forward from the start square 15 and would move the mummy pawn30 forward one square out of the mummy's tomb 18. The player wouldrepeat the rolling of the dice and the moving of his or her pawn 27 (andthe mummy pawn 30 if one or more mummy symbols 78 are rolled when thedice 29 are rolled) until the cube 31 stops spinning and falls off ofthe base 33.

The cube 31 has three different printed indicia on its outer faces 74 asindicated in FIG. 2. At the end of a player or team's turn, if a sidewith “collected treasure” is facing up, the player or team collects anadditional treasure token 26. If a side 74 with a “mummy attacks”message is facing up, the mummy pawn 30 attacks the next closest playeror explore pawn 27 and brings that pawn 27 back to the mummy's tomb 18.The player or team associated with that pawn 27 must roll doubles to getout of the tomb 18 on their next turn. If a side 74 of the cube 31 thatsays “curse the mummy” or “send mummy to tomb” is facing upward, themummy pawn 30 is returned to the tomb 18.

Then the cube and the game passes to the next player or team. During theplayer's turn, if movement of the mummy pawn 30 lands on a player'stoken or explorer pawn 27, that player or team gives back a treasuretoken 26. Treasure tokens 26 are collected when a player lands on one ofthe “take a treasure” squares indicated at 25 in FIG. 1. If a playertoken or explorer pawn 27 lands on the mummy pond 30, the player teamalso gives back a treasure. If one player or explorer pawn 27 lands onanother player or explorer pawn 27, the player landing is entitled totake a treasure from the player being landed on. If a player lands onone of the trapped door squares 21 a, 21 b, the player falls in and thepenalty is to forfeit one treasure token 26, which will allow the playerto continue his or her turn, or if the player refuses to surrender atreasure token 26 or doesn't have a treasure token 26, the turn endsregardless of whether the cube 31 is spinning. If a player lands on asecret passage 19 a-19 d, the player has the option to proceed along thealternate route provided by the secret passage 19 or continue along themain pathway 16 of the board 10. Use of the secret passages 19 a-19 dmay be advantageous when attempting to avoid the mummy pawn 30. Eachtime an explorer pawn lands on a “take a treasure” square 25, a treasuretoken 26 is collected and placed on the player or team's explorer sack28. The goal of the game is to collect five treasure tokens 26.

In one embodiment, if the cube 31 knocks one or more explorer pawns 27over as it stops spinning, the pawn 27 is moved to the closest openspace on the board 10. If a pawn 27 is knocked off of the board 10, theplayer or explore pawn (or even the mummy pawn 30) is moved to theclosest hidden chamber 22 a, 22 b.

Once a player or team has collected five treasure tokens 26, their goalis to move to the exit or escape from the pyramid shown at 23. In orderto win the game, the player or team must roll doubles (including doublemummies 78) to finally exit the tomb or pyramid and win the game.

The disclosed timing device 40 adds elements of excitement to andquickens the pace of the disclosed “Escape the Mad Mummy” game or anyboard that uses the device 40. The game also becomes one of skill anddexterity as the dice 29 must be rolled quickly and the explorer pawns27 move quickly while the cube 31 is spinning on the base 33. Also,strategic decisions regarding the use of the secret passageways 19 a-19d and whether or not to exit or stay in one of the trapped doors 21 a,21 b must be made quickly as the cube 31 is spinning.

In addition, the timing device 40 disclosed herein may be used with awide variety of board games, card games and other games of chance. Thus,it will be understood, that many of the elements described herein mayfind useful applications with other games and other forms ofentertainment. While only certain embodiments have been set forth,alternative embodiments and various modifications will be apparent fromthe above description to those skilled in the art. These and otheralternatives are considered equivalents and within the spirit and scopeof this disclosure.

1. A board game comprising: a board with a plurality of indicia printedthereon; a timing device comprising a top; whereby spinning the topdetermines an amount of time for a single turn.
 2. The board game ofclaim 1 wherein the timing device further comprises a cubical shell thathouses the top and a rip cord; the shell comprising two bearingsdisposed in diagonally opposite corners inside the shell, the bearingssupporting opposite ends of a shaft of the top, the shell alsocomprising two openings for passing the rip cord therethrough; the topcomprising the shaft which extends through a wheel and a gear; the ripcord comprising a linear set of teeth and the rip cord passing throughthe two openings of the shell with the teeth of the rip cord beingenmeshed with the gear of the top; whereby pulling the rip cord throughthe shell as the teeth of the rip cord are enmeshed with the gear causesthe top to spin within the shell as the shaft is supported by thebearings and placing the shell on one of its corners while the top isspinning causes the shell to spin on said corner for an amount of timethat determines the length of time of the turn.
 3. The board game ofclaim 2, wherein the shell comprises six outer faces, at least one ofthe faces being printed with indicia to alter the outcome of the turn.4. The board game of claim 2 further comprising a base that rests on theboard, the base comprising an upper surface having a recess foraccommodating a corner of the shell.
 5. The board game of claim 4,wherein the recess is circular.
 6. The board game of claim 4, whereinthe base has a truncated pyramidal shape.
 7. The board game of claim 2,wherein the rip cord comprises a handle.
 8. The board of claim 1 furthercomprising at least one token, at least one die, and the indiciadefining at least one pathway, wherein, to start the turn, the top isspun and allowed to spin about an axis thereof, as the top spins, thedie is rolled and token moved repeatedly until the top stops spinning.9. The board of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of tokens, atleast one die, and the indicia defining at least one pathway, wherein,to start the turn, the rip cord is pulled through the shell therebycausing the top to spin and the shell is placed on one of its cornerswhich houses one of the bearings thereby allowing the shell to spin onsaid corner and during the turn, the die are rolled and the token ismoved repeatedly until the shell stops spinning.
 10. The board game ofclaim 2, wherein the shell also houses a plate secured within the shell,the plate comprising an aperture through which the shaft and gearextend, the plate being connected to a bracket through which the ripcord and slides, the bracket having a shaped cross-sectional profilethat matches a cross-sectional profile of the rip cord, the bracketbeing positioned so that insertion of the rip cord through the openingsof the shell results in the rip cord extending through the bracket andthe teeth of the rip cord enmeshing with the gear of the top.
 11. Theboard game of claim 10, wherein the plate is fastened to an interior ofthe shell.
 12. The board game of claim 11, wherein the bracket isintegrally connected to the plate.
 13. The board game of claim 2,wherein the shaft of the top also passes through and is connected to ahub, the hub being connected to the wheel by a plurality of spokes. 14.A timing device for games, the device comprising: a cubical shell and atop; the shell comprising an interior and two bearings disposed indiagonally opposite corners of the shell, the interior of the shellhousing the top; the top comprising a shaft with two opposite ends thatare each supported in one of the bearings of the shell; whereinimparting rotational movement to the top causes the top to spin withinthe shell and causes the shell to spin when the shell is balanced on oneof the corners that houses one of the bearings with the shaft of the topbeing substantially vertical.
 15. The timing device of claim 12 furthercomprising: a rip cord, the rip cord comprising a linear set of teeth;the shell comprising two openings for allowing the rip cord to passthrough the shell; the top comprising a wheel and a gear that arecoaxially connected to the shaft; whereby insertion of the rip cordthrough the openings of the shell causes the teeth of the rip cord tobecome enmeshed with the gear of the top and rotational movement can beimparted to the top by pulling the rip cord through the shell.
 16. Thetiming device of claim 15, further comprising a base, the basecomprising an upper surface having a recess for accommodating a cornerof the shell.
 17. The timing device of claim 15, wherein the shell alsohouses a plate secured within the shell, the plate comprising anaperture through which the shaft and gear extend, the plate beingconnected to a bracket through which the rip cord and slides, thebracket having a shaped cross-sectional profile that matches across-sectional profile of the rip cord, the bracket being positioned sothat insertion of the rip cord through the openings of the shell resultsin the rip cord extending through the bracket and the teeth of the ripcord enmeshing with the gear of the top.
 18. The timing device of claim17, wherein the plate is fastened to an interior of the shell.
 19. Thetiming device of claim 18, wherein the bracket is integrally connectedto the plate.
 20. The timing device of claim 19, wherein the shaft ofthe top also passes through and is connected to a hub, the hub beingconnected to the wheel by a plurality of spokes.
 21. The timing deviceof claim 15, wherein the shell comprises six outer faces, at least oneof the faces being printed with indicia to alter the course of a game.22. A method for determining the time of a player's turn during play ofa game, the method comprising: providing a timing device of claim 15;inserting the rip cord through the openings of the shell and enmeshingthe teeth of the rip cord with the gear of the top; pulling the rip cordback through the shell at a rate sufficient to cause the top to spin;placing the shell on one of its corners that houses one of its bearingswhile the top is spinning thereby causing the shell to spin anddesignating a start of the turn; declaring an end of the turn when theshell stops spinning.
 23. A method for determining the time of aplayer's turn during play of a game, the method comprising: providing atop; causing the top to spin; placing the top in its axis while the topis spinning thereby causing the top to spin and designating a start ofthe turn; declaring an end of the turn when the top stops spinning.